XFX branches out with gaming chassis

The XFX Type 1 Bravo marks a departure from the company's usual products, and is likely to form the start of a brand-new line-up of gaming-centric cases.

XFX, a company better known for its graphics cards, has announced plans to get into the chassis market with the launch fo the XFX Type 1 Bravo, a mid-range mid-tower ATX case aimed at the gaming community.

Manufactured largely from SECC steel, the case features a horizontal grille to the front with flip-down covers for optical drives. A curved top holds the IO panel more usually found on the front of cases, featuring two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports alongside HD audio connectivity, while a matching bottom offers what XFX describes as a 'floating' design with bars raising the base of the case from the floor as a means of improving airflow.

As standard, the case includes a 200mm LED fan at the front as an intake with a 140mm fan at the rear for extraction. For improved airflow, the front and rear fans can be replaced with a pair of 120mm units, while a 200mm fitting at the top can also take two 140mm, 120mm or 90mm fans thanks to multi-function mounts. A single 140mm or 120mm fan can be fitted to the bottom, but oddly there's no mount as standard for a side-panel fan. As you might expect, there is however the option to fit a water-cooling loop or sealed-loop cooler.

The case itself measures 512mm x 232mm x 562mm and includes room for eight expansion cards, three 5.25" drive bays, five dual-mount 2.5"/3.5" drive bays, three dedicated 3.5" drive bays, and tool-free installation for all bays. The bottom of the case, which includes the mounting point for the PSU, is an open mesh design for further airflow improvements.

The XFX Type 1 Bravo has officially launched in the US with a manufacturer's recommended retail price of $129 (around £79 excluding taxes), with UK availability and pricing yet to be confirmed. More information is available on the official website.